How They Voted...Courtesy of C.A.T.C.H.

CATCH News – March 10, 2011

How they voted in December and January

This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the months of December 2010 and January 2011, the first months served by the new council. The first line of each entry identifies the issue, followed by a brief description. This is followed by the location of the vote in the third line. Multiple votes on the same issue are reported together. Absentees are only listed where reported in the minutes and where the missing councillors are members of that committee or decision-making body. Links are provided to source documents.  Note that the vast majority of council decisions are unanimous and the votes are not officially recorded.

Increases in user fees

Staff recommended a long list of adjustments to the fees charged by the city for licences, admissions, applications, photocopies, etc, but not including transit fares, building permit fees and some other fees that are addressed as separate items. The report lists all the affected fees. Most fees were raised by two percent, in line with inflation.

At General Issues Committee, December 14 Minutes p1,5-6

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Johnson, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Against: Whitehead

Abstain: Ferguson

Absent: Jackson, McHattie

Grant for Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club fundraising

Councillor Merulla introduced a motion to give $10,000 to support the “On Top of the World for Kids” fundraising effort directed to the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. Immediate consideration of the motion required a vote to waive the rules which was approved narrowly, but the motion itself was subsequently defeated.

At General Issues Committee, December 14 Minutes p13-14

Waiving the rules to allow immediate consideration of the motion (7-6).

For: Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Merulla, Morelli, Powers

Against: Bratina, Clark, Ferguson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson

Absent: Johnson, McHattie, Whitehead

Vote on the proposed $10,000 donation (6-8)

For: Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Merulla, Morelli

Against: Bratina, Clark, Ferguson, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Absent: McHattie, Whitehead

Requiring pre-payment at gas stations

The police services board asked council to consider developing a bylaw that would require pre-payment of gas at all Hamilton stations 24 hours per day. Councillors agreed to refer this issue to the Audit, Finance and Administration Committee. Voting record in minutes was corrected after a CATCH inquiry.

At General Issues Committee, January 10 Minutes p5, 16 (14-1)

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Against: Ferguson

Absent: Whitehead

Water and sewer rates and budget

Staff presented the 2011 water, wastewater and stormwater budget and recommended a 4.25 percent increase in water rates. The operating budget for 2011 is $159.3 million and the capital budget is $210.1 million. The ten year forecast capital budget is $1.7 billion, a reduction of 0.4 billion from the previous year’s forecast. Staff were asked to report back on the flood remediation program. Some amendments were approved at city council including a direction to staff to report back on alternative means of water costing for next year’s budget.

At General Issues Committee, January 11 Minutes p2-7 (12-2)

For: Collins, Clark, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Jackson, Johnson

Absent: Bratina, Morelli

At City Council, January 26 Minutes p4 (12-3)

For: Bratina, Collins, Clark, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Against: Jackson, Johnson, Whitehead

Absent: McHattie

Councillor and Non-Union Salary Freeze

A motion introduced by Sam Merulla to freeze 2011 salaries of councillors and non-union staff was approved 16-0 in a recorded vote. Most council and committee votes are unanimous, but are not recorded unless some councillor specifically asks for a recorded vote, as in this case.

At City Council, January 12 Minutes p6 (16-0)

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Against: None

Pan Am Stadium location

On a motion by Mayor Bratina, council unanimously asked staff to examine the feasibility of using the Ivor Wynne site including costs to the city, and ask for funding assistance from the federal and provincial governments, with a report back by January 24.

At City Council, January 12 Minutes p8-9 (16-0)

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Against: None

Alternative stadium option

In case the Ivor Wynne option was not feasible, Brian McHattie moved a motion to ask staff to prepare a backup submission to Hostco indicating the city’s willingness to construct a 5000-6000 seat scalable stadium for Pan Am soccer.

At City Council, January 12 Minutes p9-10 (10-6)

For: Clark, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, McHattie, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Bratina, Collins, Jackson, Johnson, Merulla, Morelli

Timing of stadium decision

On a motion from Russ Powers, staff was directed to convene a meeting of the general issues committee for January 24 for possible finalization at council on January 26, or alternatively for consideration on January 27 and finalization on January 31.

At General Issues Committee, January 21 Minutes p6 (14-2)

For: Bratina, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Clark, Johnson

Street signs in honour of Nora Frances Henderson

Scott Duvall introduced a motion to erect street signs reading “Nora Frances Henderson Circle” at several intersections near the Jurviniski Hospital (previously called Henderson Hospital). Committee agreed to waive the rules to consider the motion, and subsequently approved it.

At Public Works Committee, January 17 Minutes p8-9 (8-1)

For: Collins, Duvall, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Pasuta, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Ferguson

Rennie Street waste disposal site amendments

The city is asked to comment on proposed certificates of approval for waste disposal sites in Hamilton. Staff recommended a number of conditions for the proposed amendments to the site at 464 Rennie Street operated by BFI Canada Inc. These were submitted in preliminary form to meet a November deadline imposed by the provincial Ministry of the Environmen t. Councillors approved the submission retroactively with two councillors opposed, and unanimously added an amendment demanding Ministry officials attend a future meeting to discuss timing restrictions in the approval process.

At Planning Committee, January 18 Minutes p4-5, 18-19

Recorded opposed to sections A to C: Clark, Pasuta

Pan Am Stadium

Staff presented an update and recommendations to confirm Ivor Wynne as the site of the Pan Am stadium, and to confirm the city’s commitment of 44 percent of the capital costs. At this point, a funding shortfall continued to exist. A motion by Brian McHattie to continue considering a 5000 seat scalable facility if funding was not available was defeated.

At General Issues Committee, January 24 Minutes p1-5

Amendment to continue considering 5000 seat stadium (4-12)

For: Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, McHattie

Against: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Jackson, Johnson, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Main motion approved (10-6)

For: Bratina, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Whitehead,

Against: Clark, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Pan Am Stadium Final Decision

Staff informed councillors of additional provincial funding and a review of the Memorandum of Understanding was conducted in camera. Council then made several amendments to its January 24 decision. The first removed reference to a funding limit. The second confirmed a city contribution of 44 percent as outlined in the staff report. The votes are recorded below. Council also agreed unanimously to appoint councillors Ferguson and Morelli to liaise with staff and stakeholders d uring construction, before approving the amended motion.

At City Council, the decision was again amended to reflect provincial monies and a final funding breakdown of $45 million from the Future Fund, $9 million from naming rights, and up to $6.5 million from the city’s capital budget although staff were directed to seek alternative sources of the latter funds such as asset sales. The final agreement with the Tiger-Cats was also ratified with Scott Duvall recorded as opposed to this section.

At General Issues Committee, January 27 Minutes p5-9

First amendment: (13-2)

For: Bratina, Collins, Whitehead, Duvall, Jackson, Merulla, Morelli, Farr, McHattie, Pearson, Ferguson, Powers, Partridge

Against: Clark, Johnson

Absent: Pasuta

Second amendment: (11-3)

For: Bratina, Collins, Whitehead, Jackson, Merulla, Morelli, Farr, McHattie, Ferguson, Powers, Partridge

Against: Clark, Pearson, Johnson

Absent: Pasuta, Duvall

Main motion as amended: (10-4)

For: Bratina, Collins, Whitehead, Jackson, Merulla, Morelli, Farr, McHattie, Ferguson, Partridge

Against: Clark, Pearson, Johnson, Powers

Absent: Pasuta, Duvall

At City Council, January 31 Minutes p3-6 (14-0)

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Absent: Ferguson, Pasuta

Sole source purchase for central fleet

Staff recommended using a single company to repair and maintenance of the city’s two natural gas compressors, the only respondent to a request for pre-qualifications, and the current supplier. This was approved unanimously at public works committee but opposed by two councillors at city council.

At City Council, January 26 Minutes p4-5 (13-2)

For: Bratina, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Against: Clark, Whitehead

Absent: McHattie

West Harbour sportsfield

A Brian McHattie motion asked staff to report on the feasibility of placing a community sportsfield at the West Harbour location previously considered for the stadium, or another North End location, or other options. The review to include costs, assessment of needs, and ensuring public consultation with area residents.

At City Council, January 31 Minutes p6 (14-0)

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Morelli, Partridge, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Absent: Ferguson, Pasuta

Velodrome funding request

A Brad Clark motion directed the city manager to begin discussions with the federal government requesting $22.5 million for construction of a permanent velodrome.

At City Council, January 31 Minutes p6 (14-0)

Recorded opposed: Merulla


Comments welcome